Sarah hanahan is an emerging jazz saxophonist based in New York City and a leading voice in the world of alto saxophone. A graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music (B.A., 2019) and The Juilliard School (M.M., 2022), Sarah has studied with jazz greats like Abraham Burton, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Billy Drummond, and Marc Cary. Her distinctive style blends tradition with innovation, earning recognition for her dynamic performances and compelling musical voice.
Sarah has performed with renowned musicians such as Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary, Joseph Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Nicholas Payton. She regularly leads her own group at iconic New York venues including Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Birdland, and Zinc Bar.
In addition to performing in NYC, Sarah has toured nationally and internationally with her band SH4, as well as with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Orchestra, Joe Farnsworth, and is a member of the Grammy-award winning Mingus Big Band.